CHAPTER 286: Return This Favor

When the heads arrived together with the rest, Saphira was already asleep.

When she returned a day after purifying the land, the rest were worrying about her.

Since she walked farther and farther while purifying the lands, it took time before she returned.

The other mythological beasts even tried to connect with Vermilion Bird but to no avail since he was seriously a distance away.

Their connections weren't for long distance one, they should be close by in order to connect with one another.

But knowing that she intends to purify the land, and feeling the changes in their surrounding, despit their worry, they knew that she was just around.

"Sorry about leaving without saying a thing," Saphira started looking at them.

Then she yawned before anyone could say anything, "I really need another dose of sleep."

She smiled before walking towards the underground but once again turned around when she thought of something.

"If I am still asleep when they come, you don't have to wake me up. I just need to rest, please do tell them."

Then she went ahead and returned.

The other six turned to Hunter.

"She may not be as pale as when she was starting but it is obvious that purifying a land is far different from healing and fighting using your ability," he explained.

Reginald pursed his lips upon hearing that she was asleep.

"Grandfather," Drake spoke to Ferdinand.

Ferdinand, on the other hand, sadly sighed towards his grandson before placing a hand on his shoulder.

Drake lowered his head.

"It is fine, you didn't do anything wrong," Ferdinand said before looking at the made up coffin where Ardel's body was.

With a sigh he turned to the rest.

"Are we prepared?"

They nodded their heads.

"You're leaving already?" Ridge couldn't help but ask.

"We have to, there are still so many things we have to do at this moment," his father replied.

"Farewell, I guess I'll meet you again once everything is settled and when you all needed our help," Zian bid them goodbye.

He can tell that he wasn't strong enough to join them even though he really wanted to do so. He knew he will only pull them down during the fight.

So he will do what he can, and that is to look after his remaining people.

"Do thank her once again for purifying our land. That once we can go back home, we still have a place to return to," he added.

"We will surely relay it," Nixon answered waving his hands in goodbye.

They bid each other goodbye and the seven of them watched the large group of people leave.

Hunter furrowed his brows as he looked up to all of them.

Then he turned to check on Saphira.

*****

The travel back to Qillian Empire was silent.

The remaining people of Draco Empire were silent because they were nervous for the place they'll be staying.

On the other hand, the silence with the heads weren't the same with the silence of the other knights.

Especially those who were close with Ardel.

They could feel once again the grieve of losing him.

It is even more pronounced now that his body was with them.

Ferdinand was silently watching the closed wood coffin.

Asherton and the rest would glance at him and then looked at one another, they can somehow tell what was going on in his mind.

He was grieving not only about Ardel but most of all about Drake, who will be receiving the brunt of the pain because of Ardel's body.

Their first destination was Vermin Kingdom.

The king was already informed and a temporary large shelter was prepared for the remaining people of Draco Empire.

It was once two warehouses that were reconstructed to accomodate the almost two hundred people.

When Saphira informed Reginald, he instantly called for the king of Vermin Kingdom.

The two days of travel to where Saphira and the rest are and then the travel back would take about four days.

When Asherton and the rest arrived the reconstruction was already done.

This showed that they took priority in finishing it.

"I thank you, your majesty, for finishing such a rushed request," Asherton and Zian were the ones who went ahead adn faced the king.

"It is a request from miss Saphira herself, we couldn't really say no to that, could we?" the king replied with a warm smile.

Asherton smiled and bowed in thanks once again.

Zian did the same but he could see that the king of Vermin Kingdom treats Asherton with so much respect.

He can tell that this kingdom wasn't the only one.

The rest of the other seven kingdoms must be the same towards the other families.

They treat them still as royalty despite their ancestors leaving the kingdoms for so long already.

"My empire, once we get the chance to rise back up, will surely return this favor, your majesty," Zian then said.

The king smiled again, "I have heard details of how you became the emperor of your empire at such a young age. Just come and speak with me if you have anything you wanted to ask. You are our visitors sent by our hero, I will surely teach you as much as I can."

Zian could see that he wasn't simply saying it because Asherton was there but the king was genuine in wanting to help him.

"Then I will take you up to your offer. I thank you once again."

The king waved his hand, "The one you should really thank are those young ones, they are betting their livers just for us to be at peace."

Zian blinked before simply bowing.

He and Asherton soon left the palace and returned to the accomodation where the rest are waiting.

Upon getting there, Zian was once again grateful for the place was prepared really well.

With everything in place.

"Thank you sir, for everything," he emotionally said to Asherton as he bowed.

Asherton raised his hand, "An emperor should not bow down so easily. No matter how grateful you are, your sincerity is enough."

"I understand," he smiled.